England appeared to be sliding towards an inevitable defeat when they lost their fifth wicket of the day, and sixth overall, shortly after lunch.

But a defiant seventh-wicket stand between Bell (74) and Prior (63) took the contest deep into the evening session.

Both men were then bowled by world-record holder Murali – Prior dismissed by one which skidded on in similar manner to the one which did for Paul Collingwood in the first innings and Bell undone by an off-spinner for which he over compensated.

Having waited until his 32nd over of the innings for an initial breakthrough, Murali then claimed a third in quick succession when left-hander Sidebottom was given out by umpire Asad Rauf.